Major Mediterranean vegetable crops: A review of key issues and responses

This survey reviews the important environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting the Mediterranean Basin, the world's premier vegetable production district. The methodological approach adjusts data for production, consumption, imports, and exports to population. An overview of the region's 18 main crops provides a picture of which districts and their groupings have the most salient impact on market share and why other countries play lesser roles. These data form a framework for a discussion of the main factors currently limiting crop outputs in terms of both natural resources and varying levels of research, development and technical expertise, the focus being on the eight leading species (tomato, melon, watermelon, sweet pepper, cauliflower, artichoke, carrot and strawberry). These factors, individually and via their interaction, have determined, and continue to determine, the ebb and flow of the Basin's vegetable output. While certain constraints have deep historical roots in the region, it is also underscored just how important a role research and technology have played and will continue to play in developing adequate responses to the most pressing issues, with water supply at the top of the agenda.